Author's Note:
This one's gonna be part one of two drabbles for a short storyline ^_^
Suggested by: Author's Original Creation
Drabble location in R.W.B.Y. timeline: Volume 3, Episode 4: Lessons Learned
Basic Scenario: Nora and Pyrrha are selected to compete for Team JNPR in the doubles rounds (pt. 1)
*BOOP*
"You know, I think I'm in the lead for highest number of knockouts this year." Nora took a slurp of Ren's soda, "I mean; four from our match against Team BRNZ," she counted off on her fingers, "two from the food fight at the start of the semester..."
"You're really counting that as a fight?" Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Of course!" Nora rolled her eyes playfully, "it doesn't have to be a 'life and death' or 'tournament-only' situation." She folded her hands over her chest, "and don't get me started on how many I've got from Goodwitch's class."
"Nora, is this your way of saying that you want to compete in the doubles round?" Jaune asked flatly.
"Maaaaaaaybe." Nora smirked.
Jaune sighed, "well, we all know that I'm not ready enough to be in the vote..."
"Jaune-" Pyrrha was about to go into pep-talk mode.
"And..." Jaune continued despite the interruption, "we all know that it'd be crazy not to have Pyrrha compete."
"Well, I-" Pyrrha's modest nature got in the way of her words and she flushed, "I will be honoured to represent Beacon and our team."
Jaune turned to his teammates, "so really, it's up to you two... Ren?"
Ren had been thinking over the doubles round from the moment that their team had been declared victors of their previous battle. He knew as much as any of his teammates that Pyrrha was a shoe-in, leaving himself and Nora as her potential partner.
He glanced over at Nora, seeing her turquoise eyes bubbling with anticipation. He knew that while he could be a match for some of the stronger competitors in the tournaments based on aura technique and proper form, he didn't have half of the endurance that Nora had.
Sighing, he looked up at the expectant eyes of his friends, "there is no weakness in knowing your own limits," he gestured to Nora, "my vote goes for Nora."
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!" Nora squealed, "Thanks Ren!" She pulled him into a crushing -but all to brief- hug and then looked at Pyrrha, jumping up and down, "We're totally gonna kick some butt!"
Pyrrha chuckled at Nora's boundless enthusiasm.
Nora turned to face their leader, "so Jaune, what's mine and Pyrrha's attack name? Is it: The Babes of Beacon? How 'bout: Can't Touch This? Ooh! Is it: Norr-ha?"
Jaune groaned, "I'm never gonna live that down..."
*BOOP*
All too soon came the doubles rounds; and Ren was on edge after watching Mercury and Emerald soundly defeat Team CFVY.
His heart raced as Pyrrha and Nora walked down the hallway towards the arena. Ren could count on a single hand the number of times that Nora had been in a battle without him. It wasn't because she needed him in a fight, more often he was intervening on her behalf or got dragged into it.
But there was something about watching her fight on her own that was both entrancing and utterly terrifying.
"Be careful." He managed to call out before they got out of earshot.
"Don't worry Ren!" Nora turned to face him but continued walking backwards to keep in pace with Pyrrha, "The ladies of Team JNPR are about to show that Beacon kicks some serious butt!"
Pyrrha simply glanced over her shoulder and gave him a knowing nod.
"And I better hear your cheers down on the field, Ren!" Nora added.
Ren paused, watching as the doors closed behind Nora and Pyrrha. He felt a hand at his shoulder.
"They'll be fine, Ren." Jaune stated, "now let's grab our seats before the match begins... I think Ruby was saving us some with Team SSSN."
Ren nodded, glancing back at the stadium door before following Jaune up into the stands.
*BOOP*
"Team JNPR of Beacon verses Team HMLK of Haven."
Hemlock? Ren's stomach sank at the team name. He remembered seeing some of the clips from the opposing team's four verses four battle.
'Vicious' wasn't even close to what he had witnessed. His grip tightened on the arm rests of his chair.
The two competitors who walked out to face Nora and Pyrrha also happened to be the team's stronger combatants. Hector Delaney, a tall second year in black armour, used aura manipulation to create dust-fuelled javelin strikes. He was accompanied by Melinda Orla, an unassuming petite fighter wearing gold clothing, who used quick combos to land strikes with a pair of curved daggers.
The field selection reels spun, choosing the terrain upon which the four would do battle; desert, ocean, ice -though there were geysers within the ice field as an added hazard- and lava.
All opposites...
Ren leaned forward to get a better look. He noticed that the combatants were talking to each other, no doubt engaging in some pre-battle smack talk. He sighed, hoping that it wouldn't throw off Nora's focus, but was curious as to what was being said that would cause Nora's posture to change from relaxed readiness into something more aggressive.
*BOOP*
"Pyrrha Nikos, the celebrity?" Hector fully extended his javelin.
"Well, I wouldn't go as far to say celebrity," Pyrrha blushed modestly.
"Can I get your autograph after we defeat you?" Hector sneered.
"That depends," Pyrrha took on her readied stance, "I don't intend on being defeated."
"Ooh! Nice one Pyrrha!" Nora spun her hammer into position with a smile.
"Hey!" Melinda cut in with a smirk, "Do you think you could set me up with your tall and mysterious boyfriend?"
"B-Boyfriend?" Nora laughed nervously, "Ren and I aren't- together-together..."
"No kidding," Melinda's voice was smooth, "I can't blame him, given how much you talk his ear off. I could hear you across the fairgrounds."
Nora felt herself flush, whether it was from anger or embarrassment, she wasn't sure. She couldn't help but glance out into the crowd, hoping to find a familiar green-clad figure among the masses.
"3..." The terrain was in place.
"2..." Hector and Melinda took their readied stances.
"1..." Nora faced her opponents and adjusted her grip, trying to focus.
"BEGIN!"